Biddeford tables mobile home lot rent control ordinance

An ordinance that would regulate rent increases for mobile home lots in Biddeford has been tabled indefinitely to allow time for any new developments on the state level.

The issue of mobile home lot rent came before the council in January after residents in Granite Estates mobile home park complained about the steep increases in lot rents.

Since then, the city’s Policy Committee drafted a suggested mobile home ordinance that would regulate mobile home park lot rent and fee increases.

Under the proposed ordinance, mobile home park owners must give residents at least a 120-day notice when implementing a lot rent increase. Lot rent increases could not happen more than twice a year, and would be limited to the annual Consumer Price Index change percentage plus 3.5 percent or 10 percent of the current base rent, whichever is less. The park owner could petition the code enforcement office for a greater rent increase if needed to cover increased taxes, insurance, operating expenses or capital improvements. The decision made by the code enforcement office could be appealed to the city manager by the park owner or residents.